Itinerary Planner

Become a Lakes Day Ranger

Leave the car behind and head for the South Lakes via public transport, with the Lakes Day Ranger ticket. Offering excellent value for a car free day out, this combined ticket includes rail travel from Lancaster, Heysham, Morecambe and Carnforth to the Lake District; unlimited bus travel once you’re there; and a boat cruise on Windermere.

Not only is it excellent value for money, it’s also better for our environment too. Join us as we take a look at some possible itineraries to explore the South Lakes using a Lakes Day Ranger ticket, thanks to the Low Carbon Lake District Project.

The Lakes Day Ranger

- Includes rail travel with Northern, Avanti West coast and TransPennine Express services between Lancaster and: Workington (via Barrow in Furness); Penrith / Windermere (via Oxenholme Lake District); and Morecambe and Heysham Port.

- Includes bus travel on all Stagecoach buses within Cumbria; and the 555 service between Cumbria and Lancaster.

- The ticket also includes a single ticket on a half lake cruise on Windermere Lake Cruises scheduled services. These include the Red Cruise, which travels from Bowness – Ambleside; and the Yellow Cruise, which travels from Bowness – Lakeside.

- You can buy your Day Ranger or Round Robin tickets at your local staffed station. When boarding at an unstaffed station, or if the ticket office is closed, you can buy them from the conductor on the train.

- Whilst this might look pricey, if you compare this to the cost of fuel, parking and a cruise its pretty cost effective. Plus you can't do a multi vehicle adventure like this in a car!

Ticket prices:

• Adult: £28.50
• Child: £14.25
• Railcard holders: £18.80
• Family ticket: £56 (up to four people travelling together; max 2 adults. Two adults can travel without a chid)

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Option 1: South Lakes by bike and boat – for the Active adventurer or family fun

For this option, we head for the south of Windermere, where you’ll find a whole host of attractions; as well as a brand new, accessible path running alongside the water called the Western Windermere Way and funded by the Low Carbon Lake District Project, funded by the European Regional Development Fund. We’ll be traveling by a combination of bus, boat and bike to explore the area.

Take the train to Windermere Train Station, where you’ll find bike hire available at Total Adventure Bike Hire (9 Church St, Windermere LA23 1AQ), around a minute’s walk from the train station or Country Lanes Cycle Hire based just outside the station. The route back is on a narrow road which can get busy at peak times, so only recommended for confident cyclists (not overly family friendly). Don’t panic, if you’ve got little legs or don’t fancy 2 wheels you can walk the route instead and bus back.

Then, cycle into Bowness to explore; before boarding your Windermere Lake Cruises service. Bikes are accepted on their ‘steamers’ on the Red and Yellow cruises, space allowing, and can be booked for £2 per bike (not included in the Lakes Day Ranger).

For this itinerary, opt for the Yellow Cruise: a tour of the southern half of the lake, which stops at Lakeside where there are attractions including the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway and the Lakes Aquarium.

Lakeside also marks the start of the newly created West Windermere Way: an accessible, one-mile route which runs between the Lakeside Ferry Terminal and the Swan Hotel in Newby Bridge. Opened in Spring 2023, the route consists of locally sourced stone paths and boardwalk sections; along the way you’ll find parkland and views over Windermere. The route is open to walkers, cyclists and horse riders; as well as being accessible to pushchairs and some wheelchair users. Once fully completed in Summer 2023, the route will extend to the YMCA – with the aim of linking to the existing Windermere West Shore Way that goes to Wray Castle, meaning you’ll be able to explore this beautiful area entirely car free.

Stop for lunch at the Lakeside Hotel & Spa near the start of the route, or the Swan Hotel & Spa at Newby Bridge. From here, it’s a 9-mile, on road bike ride back to Windermere.

Prefer to walk? This itinerary can also be enjoyed on foot – simply follow the same route, but walk instead of cycling; and catch the number 6 bus back to Windermere from Newby Bridge.
 

Option 2: Ambleside & Grasmere – For the History Buff

This itinerary takes you to the charming Lakeland villages of Ambleside and Grasmere. Take the train to Windermere Train Station, before hopping on the bus to Bowness-on-Windermere – a number of services are available including the 599, 6, and the 755; with the bus stop right outside the train station.

In Bowness, spend a while strolling through the streets of this pretty town – there are independent shops, and cafes in which to grab a bite to eat. Then, head for Bowness Pier where you’ll board your Windermere Lake Cruises boat to discover the area from the water. Check the timetable and choose your departure time – your Lakes Day Ranger includes a one-way trip on a Red or Yellow cruise.

For this itinerary, we’ll be taking the Red Cruise: a tour of the northern half of the lake, which stops at Ambleside – a pretty Lakeland town packed with independent shops and eateries.

There are also a number of walks to be enjoyed around the town, including the striking Stockghyll Force Waterfalls which are just a short walk from the town centre. If you’re looking to learn more about the area, visit the Armitt Museum to discover the history and heritage of Ambleside and its people. Enjoy a spot of lunch before taking Stagecoach bus 555 or 599 from Ambleside Bus Stop (located on Kelsick Rd opposite the Library; LA22 0BZ) to Grasmere.

Alight at the ‘Grasmere, Daffodil Hotel for Dove Cottage’ stop and visit Wordsworth Grasmere, home to Wordsworth’s former home of Dove Cottage; and a modern museum highlighting his life and works. Then, you can either walk the short distance into the centre of Grasmere; or hop back on the bus – it’s a three-minute ride into the village.

From here, there’s also Allan Bank: a short walk from the centre of the village and another former home of Wordsworth.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can access a number of walks from here too. Easdale Tarn is a 5-mile round trip from the centre of Grasmere which takes you to a pretty tarn with views back towards the village.

There is also Helm Crag, often known as the Lion and the Lamb. This is a steeper route and a 4-mile round trip from Grasmere; it includes a Wainwright for anyone ticking them off their list.

Back in the village, refuel with a bite to eat a local pub, before taking the bus back to Windermere Train Station where you can take the train home.

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